The Black Prince & The White Prince

Black Watches

Despite what Aron had said, he didn't tell Baekho what his thoughts were. Instead he just asked Baekho to perhaps try to sleep elsewhere for a night and maybe that would help. Baekho didn't get what Aron was trying to say but guessed he would give it a shot if Minhyun didn't come back for the night.

The two males went straight to practice. Baekho did his best to follow Aron's advice. It was excruciatingly hard on his patience not to just body slam the other at times. Aron would laugh and poke fun at him for liking Minhyun just to make him angry or embarrassed. Baekho knew Aron meant well but seriously, his concentration was faltering easily which wasn't good.

"Ahhh! This is so difficult," Baekho grumbled when they took a short break.

"What is?"

"Your distractions. I can't concentrate." Baekho huffed and wiped his sweat with his shirt.

"I'm trying not to let you concentrate after all," Aron said playfully and nudged him. "Instincts. That's what you need to count on. Your muscle memories. That way, any distractions that come your way will be a breeze."

"Ugh...." He looked at the other knights and wondered if sparring with them would help. He couldn't deny that Aron was definitely on a different skill level too so it was probably better to continue sparring with him.

"What about the head knight? Maybe going against him would help since he was the one who actually taught Minhyun how to fight," Aron suggested when the head knight entered the field. Baekho grimaced, recalling the time he was whooped by the older man.

"Maybe... after lunch," he said sheepishly. It wasn't that he didn't want to be better faster but he knew there was no easy way out too and taking the hard road meant getting body aches everyday. Aron chuckled and nodded.

"Alright then. Come on. Let's go another round and call it a day for me. I've got something to do."

"What? I thought you said you're free."

"I know but something came up." Baekho nodded, not asking more since he didn't think it was his place to stick his nose into anyone's business.

After a couple more bouts, Aron left Baekho alone for lunch. Baekho decided to join the knights that day since Minhyun wasn't around. He was rather surprised when they welcomed him warmly. Even the head knight did. He had been getting along well with them but to get a warm treatment was always a pleasant surprise. He got his courage to ask the head knight for a spar and the other agreed, telling Baekho to get ready for another ass whooping session. Everyone laughed including him.

On the other hand, Minhyun had just finished the business he had to handle out in town. It had been awhile since he visited so he took his time to look through the shops. Every little trinket he laid his eyes on, he wondered what Baekho would think of them. The people in town were also nice to him although he had an inkling that they were just scared of his family.

His advisor had been the one who told him not to bring Baekho along, afraid someone might recognize the male and another war would needlessly start. Minhyun agreed and left with just a note, feeling quite sure that Baekho would ask to follow if he had told him.

"See something you fancy, Prince?"

"Huh?" Minhyun realised he had been staring at the pocket watches laid down in the shop.  He felt bad for staring so he picked out two of the pocket watches and paid for them. He thanked the shopkeeper who packed them neatly before walking away.

He wasn't sure if it was an impulse purchase but the pocket watch was nice too. It had an intricate design and something pretty modern looking for their time. It glowed a little in the dark too. He hoped Baekho would like it though not that he had his hopes high since Baekho didn't seem like the type who liked watches.

He started heading back to the palace with the advisor in the carriage. He couldn't help thinking about the blonde male the entire trip back, eager to see him again. Some could say he was lovestruck but even if he was, it wasn't as obvious as Baekho had been.

"I heard the king and queen are coming back soon," the advisor spoke as he studied Minhyun's expression. The words he said made Minhyun's happy bubble crumble around him. His expression turned into one of denial.

"When...?"

"I'm not sure but I received a letter recently from your sister, the princess, that they were on their way back. I wasn't sure when to tell you."

"What... What's going to happen then?"

"Your father would resume his duties as king and you would return to being the prince." Minhyun could feel his heart freezing at the thought of that happening again. Everything was better without them but now, they were coming back.

"And Baekho? What would they do if they found out about him?"

"The only paths I see for Baekho is.... actual slavery or death." Minhyun's blood ran cold. He felt his stomach twist uncomfortably, making him feel nauseous. Baekho dead? He didn't want that but to treat him badly again wasn't something Minhyun wanted either.

"Can't we just hide him somewhere in the palace? Or make him a bodyguard?" Minhyun asked with a sad tone but the advisor shook his head.

"They'll find out sooner or later if someone accidentally says something. My prince, it might be for the best to send him back."

"No... No. There's no one that cares for Baekho back where he came from too," Minhyun said, finding it increasingly difficult to talk. He felt like curling up and hiding away from this cruel world. "He told me that..."

"We could send him to a secret lodge and you could visit him once in awhile." Even the advisor didn't know how to deal with the situation which was why he had put off telling Minhyun about it.

"I don't want to be separated from him...."